Marcos Affirms Leadership Role Amid St. Luke’s Denouncement of Fake Medical Records on Social Media

In a move to dispel growing rumors about his health, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured the nation he remains firmly in control of the government despite his recent diagnosis of diverticulitis.

“I’m running the government. We’re doing everything that needs to be done. The work of the government did not stop,” Marcos stated in an eight-minute video released Wednesday evening by Palace press officer Claire Castro. The 68-year-old president appeared visibly thinner but was seen playing with his dog Oreo while addressing public concerns.

With a touch of defiance, Marcos addressed speculation about his condition: “To those waiting for me to die, do not be excited. You became too excited. I am still here.”

The president explained his weight loss resulted from medical advice to consume only liquids for several days to reduce stress on his intestines. “I lost weight because I just had soup for three days,” he said, even admitting he had dreamed of eating steak during his restricted diet period.

While Marcos reported he no longer feels pain, his medical team has recommended he reduce his workload temporarily. However, the president expressed difficulty following this advice: “When they told me to rest, I got bored during the weekend. I said I have to do something, so I read all my briefers. I am now up-to-date.”

The video release comes amid circulation of what St. Luke’s Medical Center has categorically denounced as a “fake and falsified” medical bulletin about the president’s condition. The hospital emphasized that it “strictly upholds patient confidentiality and data privacy,” adding that medical results are released only to patients through authorized channels.

The Presidential Communications Office condemned the spread of falsified medical information as “irresponsible, deceptive and a clear violation of the President’s right to privacy,” noting that “appropriate legal options are being reviewed.”

Law enforcement has already begun investigating the source of the false medical report. Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group to coordinate with other agencies on the matter, calling the fake bulletin “really disrespectful, insensitive and gross violation of the law.”

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto told reporters Thursday that Marcos is expected to resume his normal schedule next week. “He’s doing well and is busy with paperwork,” Recto said on the sidelines of Philippine National Police Day at Camp Crame. “There’s a lot to sign, a lot to read.”

Recto confirmed that Marcos has been following medical advice to rest for a week before returning to his regular activities, explaining the president’s weight loss as a natural result of his restricted diet. “Try having only soup three, four, five times a day and see if you don’t lose weight,” Recto noted.

Despite his recovery period, Marcos remains aware of pressing national issues, including impeachment complaints filed against him in the House of Representatives. Recto emphasized that the president remains focused on improving government services despite opposition efforts.

House Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo P. Ortega V stressed that the controversy centers on the deliberate spread of misinformation rather than legitimate health concerns. “An independent medical institution has already confirmed the documents are fake. We respect and rely on that statement,” Ortega said.

The La Union representative warned against pressuring officials to disclose private health information protected by law and hospital policy. “The President respects patient confidentiality and data privacy. That principle applies to everyone. No one should be pushed into violating privacy laws just to feed rumors,” he added.

As the investigation into the falsified documents continues, authorities have identified former broadcaster Jay Sonza among those who shared the fake medical bulletin. The PNP chief emphasized that while freedom of expression is respected, manufacturing and circulating false documents targeting any individual violates Philippine law.